<p>What do US students use for cell service in Montreal. Right now we have Verizon with nine months left on the contract. I think Verizon said that there is a $59/month deal for US and Canada which seems steep. Need something for texting and calling within Canada as well as between US and Canada.</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>I don’t think there really are any good options. Canadian cell phone plans seem to just kind of suck for the most part.</p>
<p>I was considering getting that Verizon US & Canada plan, but it would mean that for Canadians to call you it’d be really expensive since it’s an American number. I gave up on any plans that were designed for both the US and Canada, they seem like more trouble and money than it’s worth.</p>
<p>Personally, I’m going to get my phone unlocked and use my existing T-Mobile plan when I’m in the US over the summer, and get a monthly Fido plan when I’m in Canada. I think they have add-ons for unlimited long distance calling, but it’s something like an extra $30 a month. I’m probably just going to use Skype for calling the US.</p>
<p>I don’t know about texting. I think when I was looking at Koodo’s plans they had unlimited texting that included international text messages, but I also don’t think they’re GSM. I don’t know what the rates are for international texting with Fido, but it isn’t really something I need.</p>
<p>My only options are really Rogers and Fido (and Fido is actually owned by Rogers), since I think they’re the only GSM providers. I’m going with Fido because they have monthly contracts. There are a few more options, like Telus and Bell, if you don’t need GSM. Overall your options with Canadian providers are pretty limited.</p>
<p>Fido offers unlimited texting on either it’s $20 or $25 tier and up (not sure which).
If you have T-Mobile in the US, they will suspend your service while you’re in Canada for $10/mo (this allows them to recoup the phone subsidy) and unlock your phone for free.
Fido’s international SMS rate is 60¢.</p>
<p>Since incoming long distance calls are free with Fido but long distance and US calling is 35¢/min, you should send an SMS or make a quick call to say “call me back” to whomever you’re calling as most (or, at least, many) US home services have unlimited calling to Canada.</p>
<p>Thank you for the info, that helped to clarify a few things.</p>
<p>I have an AT&T North America plan, and I didn’t bother with a Canadian plan because I rarely use my cell phone, although it was frustrating for some to call me long-distance. I’m considering buying a Montreal virtual number through didww.com for $20/month, and then having those calls forwarded to my current phone, so that it’ll be a local call for my friends there. My only concerns, though, are the quality and reliability.</p>